The ongoing violence by government forces, pro-government militia groups and anti-government armed group forms the backdrop to continued harassment, arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detentions and alleged torture of human rights defenders (HRDs) by Sudanese military and security forces. Freedom of expression and freedom of association and assembly have been increasingly curtailed. In particular, NGO members, journalists and student activists have been targeted. Women human rights defenders face sexual violence, prosecution and harsh punishments imposed by the government security forces. Women organisations are under intense scrutiny and struggle with laws that generally discriminate against women.